Ultra-Wide Bandwidth, Nanomembrane-Based Pressure Transducers for Entry, Descent, and Landing Applications

This NASA Phase II SBIR program would develop ultra-wide bandwidth, nanomembrane based pressure transducers for entry, descent and landing applications, using silicon-on-insulator nanomembrane techniques in combination with nanocomposite materials. The team has developed a wide bandwidth pressure transducer with a bandwidth from DC to 5MHz and has demonstrated these transducers in subsonic, transonic and hypersonic wind tunnels and shock tubes in both university and government facilities. Through this NASA program, the team will develop an improved mechanical and electrical model of semiconductor nanomembrane based sensor performance that will allow quantitative optimization of material properties and suggest optimal methods for sensor packaging and use for in-situ entry, descent and landing applications. The team will fabricate hermetically sealed sensors and internal electronics using optimized materials. Support electronics will be developed to acquire, multiplex, store and process raw sensor array data needed for near real-time entry, decent and landing aerostructure control. The team will also investigate how this normal pressure sensing technology could be extended to create shear stress sensors for entry, descent and landing applications. Engineering needs for in-situ pressure measurements for entry, descent, and landing applications include 1) high frequency response, 2) wide temperature tolerance, 3) small size, 4) robustness (withstanding high g-force accelerations), 5) minimized uncertainty, 6) non-intrusiveness (minimal interference with natural flows), and 7) high sensitivity. Currently, there is no commercially available pressure sensor that meets such requirements. The team has developed a wide bandwidth pressure transducer with a bandwidth from DC to 5MHz and has demonstrated these transducers in subsonic, transonic and hypersonic wind tunnels and shock tubes. Such wide bandwidth response from DC to 5 MHz is further confirmed at both Virginia Tech Shock Tube and Electric Arc Shock Tube during Phase I. Through this NASA program, the team will fabricate hermetically sealed sensors and internal electronics using optimized materials. Support electronics will be developed to acquire, multiplex, store and process raw sensor array data needed for near real-time entry, decent and landing aerostructure control. Technical Objectives: The overall technical objective of the proposed NASA program is to transition the ultra-wide bandwidth semiconductor nanomembrane transducers from their current concept and prototype stage to gauge products of use to NASA’s test facilities and missions. The initial performances for the proposed wide bandwidth transducers are:   Pressure measurement range: 0-1 psia; 0-5 psia, adjustable Pressure measurement accuracy: 0.1% F.S. Operating temperature: -196 to 150°C now, up to 300 °C with improved soldering processes, up to 500 °C with protective thermal barrier materials Temperature compensation: Built-in thermistor Frequency response: DC to 5 MHz   Deliverables   • Periodic technical summary reports, as required • Testing at Virginia Tech for durability evaluation of wide bandwidth pressure transducers, prior to month 12 • Piggyback testing of wide bandwidth pressure transducers on-site at NASA, prior to month 18 • Final wide bandwidth pressure transducers and data interface, month 24 • Final report, month 24

The proposed ultra-wide bandwidth pressure transducers can be used in the entry, descent, and landing applications. Currently, there is no commercially available pressure sensor that meets engineering requirements for such missions. The team will transition the ultra-wide bandwidth pressure transducers from the prototype stage to gauge products of use for the entry, descent, and landing applications. Primary customers will be university, government laboratory and industry researchers. Customers for ultra-wide bandwidth pressure transducers will be the high-speed vehicle and flight control system designers and manufacturers. Broader commercial sensor opportunities including oil and gas down-hole measurements may be also pursued.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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